Thousands of Palestinians rally in support of UN bid

People head towards city centre to support campaign to join United Nations as 194th member state.


Afp September 21, 2011

RAMALLAH: Thousands of Palestinians on Wednesday were gathering across the West Bank for rallies in support of the campaign to join the United Nations as the 194th member state.

In Ramallah, the political capital of the West Bank, thousands of people were heading for the city centre, waving flags and chanting slogans, for a rally expected to start late morning, an AFP correspondent said.

Other major rallies were planned in Nablus, Hebron and Bethlehem.

The demonstrations are part of the build up to Friday when Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is expected to present to UN chief Ban Ki-moon a request for UN membership for a state of Palestine on the lines which existed before the 1967 Six Day War.

Palestinian officials have repeatedly pledged that the marches and demonstrations will be peaceful and stay within Palestinian-controlled areas, although Israeli forces have been preparing for months for the possibility they could turn violent.

Palestinian schools and government offices were to close to coincide with the start of the rallies, officials said.

In Ramallah, the main streets were cordoned off to traffic and a handful of policemen could be seen standing at a checkpoint on the city outskirts, watching as people poured onto the streets, the correspondent said.

Manara Square in the city centre was draped with a huge white flag bearing the words: "National Campaign for Palestine: State 194" as demonstrators shouted: "The people want the liberation of Palestine!"

Abbas is to submit the formal request for UN membership after he addresses the General Assembly on Friday in a move which is strongly opposed by Israel and the United States, which has vowed to block the membership bid in the Security Council.

COMMENTS (6)

motsomi masilo | 12 years ago | Reply

It seems to me this is all about religion and Israel. Everything that happens in the middle east is all about the selfish jews. Palestine is pro muslim and is made to play second fiddle to the zionists. The Usa and Israel are anti Islam to the extent that they will try to sabotage the whole process. This is discrimination and corruption at the security council. The United Nations is an embarassment and must close shop. Most of the decisions of the Un are dictated by America and are not democratic. That's why they attract the wrath and fury of terrorist acts.ll try to sabotage the whole process. This is discrimination and corruption at the security council. The United Nations is an embarassment and must close shop. Most of the decisions of the Un are dictated by America and are not democratic. That's why they attract the wrath and fury of terrorist acts.

motsomi masilo | 12 years ago | Reply

The state of Palestine deserve to be independent and recognised as such. The statement by Obama that Palestine must firstly negotiate with Israel smacks of prejudice. The United Nations must listen to the voice of reason when dealing with this issue. The Palestinians should be treated just like all the nations and be granted independence. The dominance of Un by countries such as Usa and Israel shouod come to an end. Furthermore we call upon the United Nations to be reformed so as to accomodate all member states fairly and equally without prejudice. be treated just like all the nations and be granted independence. The dominance of Un by countries such as Usa and Israel shouod come to an end. Furthermore we call upon the United Nations to be reformed so as to accomodate all member states fairly and equally without prejudice.

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